Ensnared in the Wolf's Lair tells what happened to the families, especially the children, of those who were involved in the 1944 attempt to kill Hitler.
On 20 July 1944, Claus von Stauffenberg and other conspirators attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler, Führer of Nazi Germany, inside his Wolf's Lair field headquarters near Rastenburg, East Prussia. The name Operation Valkyrie—originally referring to part of the conspiracy—has become associated with the entire event.[1][2]
To be perfectly honest, even though I had a vague idea that such a failed attack had happened, I certainly never thought about this had effected the families of the conspirators.
No one should be surprised that the children suffered greatly, separated from home, family and identity. They were only saved by the fact that the war ended not long after the assassination attempt.
We get to know some of the children well through their diaries and excellent research. I highly recommend Ensnared in the Wolf's Lair: Inside the 1944 Plot to Kill Hitler and the Ghost Children of His Revenge for readers of all ages.
Product details
- Publisher : National Geographic Kids (January 12, 2021)
- Language : English
- Library Binding : 144 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1426338554
- ISBN-13 : 978-1426338557
- Reading age : 10 - 14 years
- Grade level : 5 - 9
2 comments:
Nina von Stauffenberg, the widow of Claus von Stauffenberg, died only a few years ago. She wrote a book of her memoirs, which I saw in a German book store a few years ago, but I don't remember the name. As you now know, she was separated from her children until after the war.
Nina remained in the Bamberg area after the war, where she and Claus had been married and he was stationed. I am familiar with the town because I was stationed in Erlangen during my Army days in the 60s, which is nearby.
Van Stauffenberg is considered a hero in Germany today. Even more so are Hans and Sophie Scholl of the White Rose group. They were college students in Munich who were caught passing out anti-Hitler posters and swiftly tried and executed. I highly recommend the movie, Sophie Scholl (in German with English subtitles). It is inspiring and reminds us that some Germans courageously maintained their moral compass.
Thanks so much for the added information.
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